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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 15, 2019

Friday, March 15, 2019

Dear Neighbors,
 
Thank you to everyone who joined Rep. Ryan Winkler and me for our Town Hall Meeting on Sunday. It’s incredibly rewarding to represent such an interested and engaged community. People had good insights, and I value hearing about what’s on your mind.

I’m inspired by those in our community sharing their personal stories and their hopes, dreams, and challenges. Yesterday, Moms Demand Action held their Day at the Capitol. Our nation’s epidemic of senseless gun violence is resulting in more lives cut short by firearms than anywhere else in the world, and I’m committed to taking action.

 

Disability Services


All Minnesotans deserve to live with dignity, and for people with disabilities, we have a responsibility to deliver services they count on. This Tuesday was Disability Services Day at the Capitol and people with disabilities, their families, and support providers came to the Capitol in very significant numbers, including some from our community with whom I had the opportunity to visit.

I’ve toured group homes and day programs in our community to better understand some of the needs that exist. One of the biggest challenges is service providers struggling to attract and retain dedicated employees due to low wages and low reimbursement rates. We can’t expect those who take care of the most vulnerable among us to earn so little, and this leads to turnover and high vacancies. A constituent with two children with disabilities inspired me to author HF 1285, a bipartisan measure strengthening shared services.
 

Mental Health


I’m committed to ensuring all Minnesotans can get the care they need, and this extends to addressing mental health. We have a responsibility to increase support for Minnesotans and eliminate stigma that surrounds this issue. Last week, the House passed HF 232, a bill to increase investments in statewide mental health counseling support to farmers. For a variety of reasons, many of our farmers are facing stressors and many of them have been hesitant to seek help. We’ve seen the suicide rate among farmers rise to a level 50 percent higher than during the 1980s farm crisis.
 
Our veterans face some unique challenges, and trauma from combat can lead to significant mental health needs. Earlier this week, the House unanimously approved Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn’s bill, HF 586, to establish the first Saturday of October as Veteran Suicide Awareness Day. Family members of Minnesotan Justin Miller, a U.S. Marine who tragically took his own life last year, were in the House Chamber for the vote. We have a great deal of work at both the state and federal level to do as we address veteran suicides, and this action will hopefully raise awareness of this issue.
 
I’m also working to address the mental health needs of our students; I’m a co-author of a bill to deliver mental health training for teachers and a measure increasing school-linked mental health grants.
 

Let’s Stay Connected

 
I am working on many important issues at the Capitol. Often I tweet about them or post them on Facebook. To see the bills I've authored and co-authored, please click here. To follow bills through the legislative process, you can use the MyBills service on the Legislature’s website. Additionally, Session Daily provides regular nonpartisan recaps of legislative activity.
 
If you have any questions for me or concerns about issues, please feel free to email me or call to schedule a meeting. I'm also available at my monthly "Chats with Kelly" the fourth Sunday of each month during the session at Shore 96 in Shoreview. The next one of these is coming up on March 24 from 1:30-2:30.

It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.
 
Sincerely,
 
Kelly Moller
State Representative
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